Monday, November 28, 2011

Just in time for the holidays shop.diamondgirlmediala.com now features a variety of designers to choose from. There's something for everyone and prices for all budgets. Looking for great stocking stuffers, check out the stackable satin bracelets, only $8 each. At shop.diamondgirlmediala.com you'll find many one of a kind pieces from Farrah Karina Jewelry, Designs by Kelley Nicole and Karats by Juhi which include fun fashion accessories and some serious bling!

Spreading the holiday cheer...For the entire month of December shop.diamondgirlmediala.com will donate a percentage of every "Smitten with Luxe" glass bracelet by lily and laura sold to Sol Foundation. Sol Foundation, founded by Ashley Oelsen, and named after her rescue dog Sol, helps prevent cruelty to animals through education, awareness and advocacy. Ashley has created a very distinctive way to teach kids an established sense of responsibility, and kindness towards animals and other humans.www.SharingOurLove.org

Everyone deserves a Happy Holiday. If a new pet is on your "wish list" for a loved one PLEASE adopt!

Monday, November 21, 2011

Celebrate Thanksgiving and all the delicious trimmings any time of the day at The Pacific Dining Car in Los Angeles and Santa Monica. Last night Wes Idol, the owner of the PDC, spoke to Food Critic Peter Dills on KABC radio about what they'll be serving up later this week and why the Pacific Dining Car is the place to be if you're dining out.

"The Pacific Dining Car will be serving a mouth watering holiday feast this season featuring free range, naturally fed, heritage turkeys. Chef Michael Rosen will prepare everything from scratch (including his homemade apple tart a la mode, not to missed) while our expert Wine Director has prepared a "wine flight" for each of the three course meals in order to pair the best wine with your meal. We have a vast wine collection spanning from Italy to California," says Wes.

On behalf of everyone at the Pacific Dining Car, you're invited to indulge in some fine dining this holiday season. We look forward to seeing you soon.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Tuesday Nov. 15th...In addition to receiving a very kind donation Sol Foundation, (Ashley Oelsen) and Wags and Walks (Lesley Brog) rescued several more dogs who are now on their way to forever homes. I can't commend these ladies enough, and many others I know who pull shelter animals. I was barely out of my car before my eyes were flooded with tears. It's not easy to walk the aisles of the shelters and look into so many sad eyes who are just hoping you're there to save them.

Not only did several dogs escape a life of misery and neglect, I even got a young man to change his mind about leaving a little puppy he just found on the street. He said he was going to try harder to find her a home instead of dumping her off. If everyone would just try a little harder this would be great.

Going the extra mile is what Sol Foundation is all about, " OUR VISION at Sol Foundation is to promote compassion and respect for all life by educating youth, therefore improving the future by changing the mentality through instructional programs in the classroom." Kind of like a rescue dog concierge service, and similar to Lesley's mission for Wags and Walks, she takes the time to personally assist with matching the right dogs with the right owners, as well as making the adoption process easier.

Pictured below, Ashely and Lesley accept the donation from Dog Time Media. For more information on both foundations please visit:

Usually, I write reviews of restaurants I know fairly well. Before I put thoughts on paper though, I check out the restaurant one more time to see if anything has changed recently. Just before I send my review in to my editor, I look at reviews on the Internet to make sure that my overall impression is not drastically different from others.

I was surprised at the divergence of opinions in the restaurant reviews on Santa Monica's Pacific Dining Car.

There is one attribute that everyone can agree upon with respect to this restaurant, but maybe only one. It is open 24/7. It's the only nice restaurant I know that has those hours, and it's a wonderful thing.

With respect to the food, wine, service and prices, however, there is great controversy. There are a lot of reviews that slam the restaurant, and then there are a lot of reviews that praise it — but not many in the middle.

The original Pacific Dining Car opened in 1921, which says something favorable about the concept. The Santa Monica offshoot opened in 1990, which also gives it credentials. A restaurant that can last in Santa Monica for more than 20 years must have something good to offer other than just convenient hours.

And that has been my experience. Most of the famous steak houses are in Beverly Hills — Mastro's, Ruth's Chris, Wolfgang's, etc. But other than the Boa steakhouse on Ocean Avenue, and perhaps The Galley on Main Street, not too much comes to mind when you are salivating for a good, aged steak. But I've always found the steaks at Pacific Dining Car to be up with the best of them. And the range of cuts and sauces available is better than in many steak specialty restaurants.In fact, the range of food on the menu is very wide, and I've seen some good seafood come out of the kitchen. But for me this is a place to go for a late-night steak, and maybe a baked potato with butter and sour cream on the side.Another thing I like about this restaurant is the excellent web presence. There you'll find a great history of the restaurant. Also, you can see the menu, although not everything listed on the web is always available. And, a few items of interest are missing, such as the prices. And there is no wine list on the site, just text about how great the wine list is. Several wine reviewers of note have agreed. Personally, I have never had a problem finding a reasonably-priced wine from the list, and I know that the restaurant is serious about providing a broad choice of wines, including a lot of very expensive selections.

The décor is just to my taste for a steak house. What should we call it — Los Angeles past? And I like the fact that the restaurant is broken up into several rooms, since it keeps the noise level down.But what about those prices? Well, prime, aged beef is expensive, and I don't see the prices here to be above those in the great steakhouses of Beverly Hills. It's pretty hard to get out of any nice steakhouse today for less than $50 a person, and that's not going to be the end of it, if you like a really good bottle of Cabernet with your steak as I do.

And, what about all those complaints on the web about the service and the imperfectly cooked steaks? When I read as many complaints as I see on the Internet I have to think that, as my dad used to say, "Where there's smoke there's fire!" With as many specific complaints as one sees in the reviews it seems clear that consistency is not the prime quality of this restaurant, and that's something that they need to work on.

That said, I've eaten there many times, and my experiences have been favorable. My steak has always been cooked as ordered, and the service has always been up to par. With these hours, you will have no problem finding a convenient time to try it yourself, and I will be interested in your feedback.

Check out this fun new piece from Kelley Nicole Designs. It's a one of kind, vintage inspired charm necklace with a little jungle touch. The monkey charm is great and I love the gold chain woven with bright colored rope. Kelley added small charms to the end as which adds some flare instead of a plain clasp.

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Beauty Fixation, Tinted Lip Conditioner. I never go into to CVS and just buy the one thing I need. This colorful little case caught my eye and now I'm addicted. They're pre-filled lip moisturizers in a Q tip. You simply break one end of the Q Tip and apply. Perfect for on the go, at your desk and evening bag. I'd suggest putting a few in a small zip lock bag. One swab is good for about 5 applications. $3, it's practically free!

Monday, November 7, 2011

One of LA's most talented young artist, Eric R. Doolin, has been invited to represent the USA at the Florence Biennale. If you love art, and happen to be traveling to Italy this winter you might want to add this exhibit to your agenda.

If you're staying local and would like to see some of Eric's work please contact The Fractal Gallery to arrange a visit. Either way these stunning paintings are well worth the purchase for serious art collectors.

Contact: Eric@thefractalgallery.com or www.thefractalgallery.com

(December 2012)...Two wall-size paintings, which define Doolin’s current work, will be on exhibition December 3rd -11th, at the 2011 Florence Biennale, a prestigious show of contemporary artists from around the world.

The large-scale paintings of up-close organic forms take the viewer on a cosmic tour of the inner workings of orchids or the infinite unfolding of succulent leaves. However, they are anything but your typical florals. These works approach beauty in a uniquely conscious and deliberate way. The work emphasizes the sensuality and mathematical design of nature. The use of translucent colors seems to shine from within, as if lit from behind like stained glass. Doolin is compelled by a philosophical take on the relevance of nature in our visual and spiritual lives. Plant life and seashells are motifs of microcosms, which lend themselves generously to painting. The surfaces become bold landscapes of subtle and sexy curvature.

In the marketing for eco-friendly furniture...while Eric’s oil paintings explore the nature of nature, his ecologically conscious furniture conserves it. His green furniture is made of hemp board; glass, stone, soy-based foam, hemp fabric, and areas designated for living plants. His paintings are striking and a fill a room with an array of vibrant colors, and sense of calmness, while his furniture designs combine beauty and comfort at it’s finest.

Lisa Raye is VH1's hottest single lady ...check her out in "Smitten with Luxe" glass bracelets by Lily & Laura

Lisa Raye is styled to nines by celebrity stylists Ryan Christopher in this gorgeous creme cape dress as she fulfills her duty as grand marshall and ambassador for the Magic City Classic in Birmingham, AL sponsored by Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. This lovely is the star of VH1’s Single Ladies. If you didn't catch the first season you better set your DVR for season two which starts shooting in December. She plays the ultimate "single gal" that you don't want to mess with, and she gets her man every time. Stunning, single and perfectly accessorized in "Smitten with Luxe" glass bracelets. You can look like a million bucks and spend less than $50. These fab bracelets are only $18 eachwww.shop.diamondgirlmediala.com